lithology

[ li-thol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. Geology.
   1. (loosely) petrology.
   2. the physical characteristics of a rock or stratigraphic unit.
2. Medicine/Medical. the study of the formation, pathology, and treatment of stones in the human body.

lithology

/ lɪˈθɒlədʒɪ; ˌlɪθəˈlɒdʒɪk /

noun

1. the physical characteristics of a rock, including colour, composition, and texture
2. the study of rocks

lithology

/ lĭ-thŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study and description of rocks, especially at the macroscopic level, in terms of their color, texture, and composition.
2. The gross physical character of a rock or rock formation.

Derived Forms

• ˌlithoˈlogically, adverb
• liˈthologist, noun
• lithologic, adjective

Other Words From

• lith·o·log·ic [lith-, uh, -, loj, -ik], litho·logi·cal adjective
• litho·logi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lithology¹

First recorded in 1710–20; litho- + -logy

Example Sentences

Irina Artemieva, an internationally esteemed specialist in lithology, denies the university’s claims that she repeatedly failed to fulfil various administrative and teaching duties.

From Nature

The management of the university’s science faculty dismissed Irina Artemieva, a tenured professor and internationally esteemed specialist in lithology, on 29 July — saying that she has repeatedly failed to fulfil various administrative and teaching duties.

From Nature

The rocks’ physical characteristics, or lithology, are also similar to those in areas such as Syria, where safety issues are too great for researchers to make expeditions.

From Nature

The rocks hosting the Marble Canyon fossils are within the Burgess Shale, but are of a slightly different composition, or lithology, the researchers report.

From Scientific American

"What scientific name are they giving to the lithology?" you wanted to know.

From BBC